Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006 
Robert F. Salkowski is a nationally recognized franchise lawyer, sophisticated trial lawyer, and strategic business advisor with more than thirty years of experience representing franchisees, franchisee associations, business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs throughout the United States and internationally.
A partner at Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. since 1995, Robert focuses his practice on franchise law, franchise litigation, and other complex business litigation, arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution. He has represented clients in many of the most significant matters affecting franchise systems, including disputes involving wrongful termination, nonrenewal, encroachment, franchise transfers, fiduciary duty claims, unfair competition, fraud, business torts, and system-wide controversies impacting entire franchise networks.
Over the course of his career, Robert has established a national reputation as one of the leading advocates for franchisees and franchisee organizations. He regularly serves as counsel to individual franchise owners, multi-unit operators, franchisee advisory councils, and some of the nation's most influential franchisee associations across a broad range of industries, including restaurant, hospitality, automotive, retail, healthcare, education, and service-based franchise systems.
Prior to joining Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., Robert practiced complex commercial litigation and bankruptcy law and served as counsel to a publicly traded investment banking firm, experience that provides him with a distinctive perspective on the financial, operational, and business issues underlying sophisticated commercial disputes.
Robert is a respected author, speaker, and thought leader within the franchise industry. He is a frequent presenter at premier industry conferences, including those sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Franchising, the International Franchise Association (IFA) Legal Symposium and Annual Convention, and the IBA/IFA Joint Conference. His presentations have addressed trial advocacy, mediation strategies, damages analysis, franchise relationship laws, and cross-border franchise disputes.
Known for his strategic judgment, sophisticated courtroom experience, and deep understanding of franchise systems, Robert is a trusted advisor to franchisees and business owners navigating high-stakes legal and business challenges.
Robert has earned numerous professional distinctions throughout his career. He is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA) Trial Lawyers Honors Society, and has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America® for both Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation since 2006. In 2014, he was named Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year in Franchise Law. He also holds Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent® rating, has been selected to Florida Super Lawyers since 2012, is ranked by Chambers USA in Franchising representing mainly franchisees, has been recognized by Who's Who Legal as a Global Leader in Franchise Law since 2015, and has been inducted into the Franchise Times Legal Eagles Hall of Fame. In 2023, Business Today named him one of the Top 10 Influential Franchisee Lawyers in the United States.
Current Employment Position
- Partner, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski PA, Miami, Florida
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Franchise Law
Past Positions
- Counsel, Ocwen Financial Corporation, West Palm Beach, Florida
Honors & Awards
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (LCA) National Trial Lawyers Honorary Society, Since 2025
- Included in Best Lawyers in America for Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation, 2006 to present
- Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Franchise Law by Best Lawyers in America, 2014
- Named in Florida Super Lawyers for Franchise/Dealership and Business Litigation, 2012 to present
- Received Chambers USA National Ranking in Franchising (primarily Franchisee)
- AV Preeminent Rating for professional legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale‑Hubbell/LexisNexis, since 2003
- “Top Franchise Lawyers You Should Know,” 1851 Franchise Magazine, 2026
- Listed among the “Top 10 Influential Franchisee Lawyers in the USA,” Business Today, 2023
- Legal Eagles Hall of Fame, Franchise Times Magazine, since 2018
- “Legal Eagles,” Franchise Times Magazine, 2008 to present
- “Top Deal‑Makers of the Year” in Real Estate Land Development, Daily Business Review, 2013
- Recognized as “Legal Elite” in Franchising by Florida Trend Magazine
- Who’s Who Legal (WWL) “Global Leader” in Franchise Law, 2015 to present
- Highlighted in South Florida’s Best Lawyers, 2009 to present
- Business Leader, 2011
Professional Associations
- Miami-Dade Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association (ABA), Member
- International Franchise Association (IFA), Member
- American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD), Member
- Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA), Member
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida
- J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1991
- George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts, 1988
- Major: Political Science
Bar Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Florida
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Speakerships & Seminars
- “Advanced Franchise Litigation Intensive — Identifying, Obtaining, and Introducing Key Evidence at Trial,” American Bar Association (ABA) 48th Annual Forum on Franchising, Orlando, FL, 2025
- May 2024: “Field Stories from Mediations in Franchise Systems, Successes and Challenges,” 2024 IBA/IFA Annual Joint Conference, Washington D.C.
- May 2024: “Franchising in the Legislative and Regulatory Spotlight,” 2024 IFA Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C.
- October 2021: “Do You Want to Litigate in London or Timbuktu? Negotiating and Settling International Franchise Disputes Before Arbitration or Litigation Heats Up,” 44th Annual American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, Atlanta, GA
- January 2021: Co-Speaker, “Financial Performance Representations in a COVID-19 World,” 2021 IFA Annual Convention
- October 2017: “Basics of Franchisee Bankruptcy,” 40th Annual American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, Palm Desert, CA
- October 2015: “Structured Workouts: Franchisor Strategies For Dealing with Financially Troubled Franchisees,” 38th Annual American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, New Orleans, LA
- May 2015: “2015 Judicial Update,” 48th Annual IFA Legal Symposium, Chicago, IL
- April 2015: “Multi-Unit Mergers & Acquisitions,” Franchise Update’s 15th Annual Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
- February 2015: “Resolving Franchise Disputes,” 2015 IFA Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV
- May 2014: “Making the Case for Franchise Standards Beyond Because I said So,” 2014 IFA Legal Symposium, Chicago, IL
- February 2014: “Survey of Franchise Litigation Development and Trends,” 2014 Hospitality Law Conference, HOSPITALITYLAWYER.COM, Houston, TX
- February 2012: “Vicarious Liability of Hotel Owners,” 2012 Hospitality Law Conference, HOSPITALITYLAWYER.COM, Houston, TX
- October 2011: ”The Five Most Litigated Provisions in the Franchise Disclosure Document,” ABA Forum on Franchising, 34st Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD
- February 2011: “The Franchise Debate,” 2011 Hospitality Law Conference, HOSPITALITYLAWYER.COM, Houston, TX
- May 2010: “Franchise Litigation,” 2010 International Franchise Association (IFA), Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C
- February 2010: “The Franchise Debate,” 2010 Hospitality Law Conference, HOSPITALITYLAWYER.COM, Houston, TX
- October 2008: “Determining The Rules of Engagement In Litigation Here And Abroad,” ABA Forum on Franchising, 31st Annual Meeting, Austin, TX
- January 2003: “Professionalism in Franchise Law,” Florida Bar Franchise Seminar, Miami, FL
